Local Energy Challenge Fund phase 1 projects announced

The newest strand of CARES, the Local Energy Challenge Fund, has been created to demonstrate the value and benefit of local low carbon energy economies. The new fund coincides with the launch of the Community Energy Policy Statement which sets out the Scottish Government’s record of support for community energy and new ambition for holistic local energy solutions.

These are large-scale local low carbon demonstrator projects which show a local energy economy approach linking local energy generation to local energy use.

There was a fantastic response to the Local Energy Challenge Fund, with a total of 114 applications received. The Challenge Fund panel decided on 17 projects to go forward in phase 1. The successful projects now have until February to undertake the development work required to apply for phase 2 of the scheme.